Samsung Unveils Galaxy Tab S5e, the Thinnest and Lightest Tablet Ever

February 19, 2019

1:32 pm

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Just a few days before its highly anticipated product launch, where we expect to see the Galaxy S10 phone, Samsung has unveiled a new tablet that rivals the iPad on everything from computing power to size and weight: the Galaxy Tab S5e.

Despite its dominant status as the leading smartphone developer in the world, Samsung hasn't been able to break into the tablet market as well as you'd think. Granted, the iPad and Microsoft Surface are hard to compete with, but you'd think the Korean conglomerate could bottle some of that smartphone magic into a slightly large package.

Well, it would appear that's what Samsung has done with the Galaxy Tab S5e, which is not only the lightest and thinnest tablet Samsung has ever produced, but also boasts a decidedly lower price tag than its predecessors.

Poised to hit the shelves in the second quarter of 2019, the Galaxy Tab S5e could seriously shake up the tablet market. Let's take a look at the reasons why.

Samsung Galaxy Tab S5e Unveiled

As you'll see from the specs below, the Samsung Galaxy Tab S5e really does compete with the best of the best. From the impressively sized screen-to-body ratio to the lengthy battery life, this tablet is ready to take on the competition and then some.

Display: 10.5 inch WQXGA Super AMOLED

Processor: 64bit Octa-core

RAM: 4GB or 6GB

Storage: 64GB or 128GB

Camera: 13 megapixel (rear), 8 megapixel (front)

Operating system: Android 9.0

Battery life: 14.5 hours

Size: 245.0 x 160.0 x 5.5mm

Weight: 400 grams

Samsung Galaxy Tab S5e vs iPad

As with any tablet, the true question is: does it compete with the iPad? While Samsung has struggled to meet this herculean challenge in the past, the Samsung Galaxy Tab S5e is actually positioned to give the Apple darling a run for its money.

For one, the Galaxy Tab S5e is thinner and lighter than the iPad. Granted, it's not by much (0.4mm and 68 grams, respectively), but any edge in the tablet game counts for something. The iPad Pro still takes the crown in screen-to-body ratio, but again, the difference is barely noticeable, at just more than a single percentage point.

As for the price, Apple still bests Samsung in the mid-range tablet department. The entry-level iPad costs $329, whereas the Galaxy Tab S5e will cost $399. Still, if you're looking for an Android device that can finally compete in this mid-range sector, you can't go wrong with this new Samsung tablet.

Samsung has also upped the ante by giving the Galaxy Tab S5e “call and text continuity,” allowing the device the same capabilities as a Samsung smartphone. This has been a staple of iPads for a while, but makes the Samsung tablet a serious competitor in more than just hardware – it's giving Android users a tablet option that works with their existing Android phone.

Should You Buy the Samsung Galaxy Tab S5e?

Truthfully, it's a bit too early to tell. The Galaxy Tab S5e was only just announced a few days ago, and very few people have been given the opportunity to check out the devices before it launches.

Still, based on the specs and the hype, the Galaxy Tab S5e has the potential to be the only desirable middle-tier tablet on the market for Android users. Plus, with the lightest and thinnest body available to date, it's hard to argue with the possibility of a new top dog in the tablet market.

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Conor is the Senior Writer for Tech.co. For the last four years, he’s written about everything from Kickstarter campaigns and budding startups to tech titans and innovative technologies. His extensive background in stand-up comedy made him the perfect person to host tech-centric events like Startup Night at SXSW and the Timmy Awards for Tech in Motion.
You can email Conor at conor@tech.co.